West Wales 2026 Festival

Welsh Three Peaks Challenge

Strumble Lodge are undertaking a Welsh Three Peaks Challenge in the summer of 2024. The peaks are Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Cader Idris (in mid Wales) and Pen y Fan (in the Brecon Beacons). The challenge is to climb all 3 in 24 hours. Those taking part will be able to get sponsorship from other Brethren, families and friends (including gift aid). If Brethren from any other Lodges wish to join us, then they will be more than welcome. Any sponsorship raised for the Festival will of course be put towards to the relevant Lodge Festival target.

At Strumble Lodge, we know of others (up to ages in their 60s) who have completed the task but, as the heading says, it is a challenge and it should be undertaken with some care. It’s not your average Sunday sponsored walk!

Currently, we’re asking for ‘expressions of interest’ in taking part so that we can (together) decide on the best way to undertake the challenge. Our current thoughts are as follows. These are just initial thoughts to give an impression of the 24 hours before you ‘express an interest’.

We travel to North Wales and stay overnight in Llanberis (possibly at the youth hostel or elsewhere). We may travel in cars, with each car having 3 walkers plus the driver (who may do a sponsored peak, if it’s agreed on driving safety grounds). The cars are probably best based on fitness/ability, so that those on the challenge can walk and start and finish with others at a similar pace. The challenge isn’t however time based in any way, it’s safety based with the aim of helping each other to complete the 24 hours if possible. Everyone gets down from any peak they climb, but possibly not everyone is able to complete all 3 on the day. Sponsorship is towards the commitment not the completion. Depending on numbers, the cars may be replaced with a minibus(es) or even a coach(es).

We climb Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), starting between 4 and 5am from Pen y Pass (15 mins drive from Llanberis). We’ll use the PYG track, and the climb (up and down) should take between 4 and 6 hours.

We travel to Cader Idris, taking between 1 and 2 hours.

We climb Cader Idris, starting from Minffordd on the shores of Tal y Llyn Lake just off the A487 The climb (up and down) should take between 5 and 6 hours.

We travel to Pen y Fan, taking between 2 and 3 hours.

We climb Pen y Fan, starting from the Storey Arms on the A470. The climb (up and down) should take between 3 and 4 hours. This is the easiest one with a well-marked path and many undertake it in the dark to watch sunrise and sunset.

We travel home, in the early hours of the following day. There is of course the option to have another overnight stay somewhere.

We’re simply taking names at present to get an idea of the numbers interested so that we can plan accordingly. If you’re interested, please let your Charity Steward know or contact Steve Roscoe on wwgc@wwmason.com. When you see a sponsorship form for someone else, please remember it’s much more than a regular sponsored walk and give them as much support as you can.

Thank you all in anticipation. We’re sure it’ll be a good trip; one you’ll happily remember (if not enjoy throughout!) and a satisfying challenge for a worthy cause.